World news: Turkey | guardian.co.uk by Agence France-Presse in Istanbul

Turkish president accused of trying to usurp the venerated Atatürk as modern nation’s talisman, as his name could adorn several projects – including an airportTurkey is to name a major new bridge across the Euphrates river after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, according to reports.

Hakan Fidan, head of Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency (MİT), has submitted his resignation to run in June 7 general elections. He could become the new foreign minister if he is elected. ‘If a person who is assigned as Superman enters the parliament, I consider it a waste,” Deputy PM Arınç said.

Turkey has passed the blurred threshold that demarcates democratic politics from an authoritarian system.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Goncalo Silva/Demotix. All rights reseved.Authoritarianism is an illusionist practise insofaras it presents an incomplete picture of reality while leaving the audience with the perception that they are seeing all of it. It becomes possible to conceal the tricky part of the show from the audience who is fully convinced that the whole show is laid bare before their eyes. As a result, they no longer push the boundaries.

Disregarding opposition criticism of his direct involvement in politics, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan once again appealed for votes for his former Justice and Development Party (AKP) without explicitly giving the party’s name, declaring that “400 lawmakers” are needed for a “new Turkey.”

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chairman Selahattin Demirtaş has described the Kurdish peace process as at neither an impasse nor a breakthrough, saying a meeting between the government and a HDP delegation would soon happen.

A group of protesters have attempted to march Turkey’s new presidential palace to mark the shooting of 15-year-old Gezi protests victim Berkin Elvan, but the police prevented the demonstration by using tear gas, detaining 50 people

EXCLUSIVE/ A telephone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras yesterday (5 February) covered the situation in Ukraine and the South Stream and Turkish Stream pipeline projects, the Kremlin announced. In the meantime, the Russian Ambassador to the EU provided EurActiv with some insight on Russian plans.